State to consult Nariman over expert group on Cauvery

An all-party meeting on Tuesday decided to consult senior counsel Fali S Nariman on the Centre’s proposal of forming a ‘Group of Experts’ on sharing of the Cauvery river water during distress years, before conveying the state’s opinion to the Ministry
of Water Resources.

On February 2, the secretary to the Union Water Resources Ministry had communicated to the state on the Centre’s proposal to constitute an experts group on Cauvery basin management and had sought its opinion on the same. The communication stated that constitution of the group is necessitated as the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal does not provide a specific formula for sharing of Cauvery water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu during distress years. It was felt that the group could address the issue.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Karnataka Water Resources Minister M B Patil said the pros and cons of the proposal of forming a group of experts was discussed. “It was unanimously decided that the opinion of our legal team on the Cauvery issue headed by Nariman be taken before conveying the government’s stand to the Centre,” Patil said. The meeting also discussed the Special Leave Petition (SLP) pending before the Supreme Court challenging the final award the tribunal.”

The meeting convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was attended by Home Minister G Parameshwara, Law Minister T B Jayachandra, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar (BJP) and JD(S) leaders Basavaraj Horatti and H D Revanna among others.

Patil said he is planning to meet Nariman next week. Siddaramaiah said he will also consult former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on the issue. Advocate General Madhusudhan Naik is said to have told the meeting that the state government should give its go ahead for constitution of the group.

According to the proposal of the Water Resources Ministry, the group will identify and document key factors behind the inter-state water dispute in the Cauvery basin. It will estimate water availability and demands in various scenarios and also suggest a permanent institutional mechanism for resolving the inter-state water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.